Carney says government has ‘taken back control’ of immigration

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government has “taken back control” of immigration.

The prime minister made the remarks at a press conference in Red Deer, Alta., after being asked about the upcoming referendum that will ask Albertans how they want the province to deal with immigration.

Carney told reporters that immigration was “far too high” when his government took over, arguing that Canada had “lost control” of levels in foreign students and temporary workers.

The prime minister says the flow of asylum seekers entering Canada is down a third, while the level of temporary foreign workers is down by a half and foreign students down by two thirds.